▪ I. † pense, n. Obs.
Also 6 penss.
[a. OF. pense thought, f. penser to think; cf. panse, pansy n.]
1. Sc. Thought.
| a 1568 Considder, Man, all is bot Vanitie! 9 in Bannatyne Poems (Hunter. Cl.) 136 Will we nocht prent in to oure mynd and penss That it is bot richt schort tyme we haif heir. |
2. A pansy n.
| 1588 Greene Alcida Wks. (Grosart) IX. 71 Mer. Then Madam, blame me not if I like Penses well... Eriph. Not Sir, as it is called a Pense, or as you descant a fancie: but as we homely Huswives call it, Heartsease. |
▪ II. † pense, v. Obs. exc. dial.
Also 6 pens(s.
[a. F. penser to think, be thoughtful (11th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. pensāre to weigh, ponder, consider, freq. of pendĕre to hang, weigh. See also panse.
(OE. had adopted the L. vb. as pinsian to weigh, estimate, consider; but this app. did not come down into ME.)]
a. trans. To think of, call to mind. b. intr. To think. c. trans. (with compl.) To cause to be thought. d. (dial.) intr. To be fretful.
| c 1500 Lancelot 1431 Than arthur..In to his wit memoratyve can seik Of euery gilt wich that he can pens, Done frome he passith the ȝeris of Innocens. a 1520 Johnston Thre Deid Pollis 34 (Bann. MS.) With humill hairt vpoun our pollis penss. 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus ii. 953 Thy Actis pensit the far mair precious. [a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Pense, to be fretful. Jam. to be thoughtful.] |
▪ III. pense
obs. form of pence, pl. of penny.